Devil May Crash Weekly Roundup

After getting a retail box copy of
Devil May Cry 4 for the PS3, we loaded the disk into our console, and started
the loading process. Despite Penny Arcade’s satirical complaint about the
twenty minute installation process, we don’t mind an install to shave a few
seconds off of each in-game loading. This is an option we would like to see in
more PS3 and 360 games- anything to play more, and wait less.

Once the installation was completed
we began our game. After thirty seconds of looking at the “Now Loading”
graphic, and momentarily rethinking our position on required installs, we tried
the Playstation button. Instead of seeing the typical PS3 menu, we realized our
system was frozen, and unresponsive. Despite having played fifteen other games
on our PS3, this is the first time this has occurred on our system.

About 45 minutes later, after an enjoyable, stretch
of demon slicing, we started to play the third mission. About ten minutes into
the level, the game froze yet again. The symptoms were similar; the game seemed
to crash while loading. Another hour or so of play went without a hitch.
Hopefully, these problems will not resurface, or will be remedied (exorcized) with
a re-install; time will tell.

On the DS front, we spent a bit of
time with Assassin’s Creed: Altair’s Chronicles. The concept of bringing a
next-generation game to the underpowered DS can be problematic. Part of the draw
of the PS3 and 360 versions of Assassin’s Creed is the exotic locale, and
innovative control scheme. While the DS ‘s 3D engine tries to maintain a decent
framerate (which seems to hover around 25 FPS), the game mechanics nearly
recall its console counterparts. While moving through a simplified 13^th century Jerusalem, players use the “R” button to slow Altair down, and add
balance along high platforms. Minigames of picking pockets, and forcing
confessions mimic Trauma Center and Elite Beat Agents, respectively.  While certainly not worth the $30 price tag,
fans of the game, may keep this on their radar until the inevitable price drop.